Pennsylvania-based sludge/grind trio Secret Cutter (ex-Oktober Skyline) unleashed their acclaimed, super heavy self-titled effort over four years ago. Now, the impossibly intense band is set to release their crushing sophomore LP, titled Quantum Eraser, this Friday (July 6). The new release not only maintains their abrasive and begrudging tone, along with compelling and unpredictable songwriting, but it’s also tighter, more focused and somehow even heavier than their previous offering.

In this recent interview with Svbterranean, vocalist Ekim, drummer Jared Stimpfl and guitarist Evan Morey discuss the origins of Secret Cutter and the making of Quantum Eraser. They also talk about combining the visceral aggression of grind with the harsh density of sludge (why is “grudge” not a thing yet!?), how they manage to achieve their massive sound as just a three-piece, as well as their approach to unique songwriting and more. Check it out! Continue Reading

Armed with intricate guitar work, impeccable sense of groove, and a pervasive dark tone, Knaaves’ unique blend of metallic hardcore is punishing and memorable all at once. This is made evident on the Milwaukee-based band’s debut release, January; a two-song single that is equally atonal and melodic, crushing and catchy. If the solid songwriting and potent lyrics on this record are any indication of where the band will go, it would be safe to say that Knaaves will be soon be a name on the tip of every punk’s tongue.

In this recent interview, Svbterranean caught up with frontman Andy Parmann to discuss the evolution of the band, the new EP, and combating misogyny.

Toronto, ON’s Holy Grinder have been keeping busy over the past year or so, releasing splits with the likes of Capsized, Insufferable and Sete Star Sept, as well as their debut album, Eradicate All Scum. Now, the trio (featuring members of Mad Trapper, War Balm, and the Blind Surgeons Operation) are offering up their sophomore record, pleasantly dubbed Cult of Extermination. The album (out tomorrow, March 2) was masterfully recorded with Fuck the Facts’ Topon Das at his Apartment 2 studio and sees the noise-grinders taking their raw sound to new levels of crushing intensity.

In this recent interview with Svbterranean, bassist/vocalist Ei Cee discusses Cult of Extermination and what it was like working with Das. They also talk about the origins of Holy Grinder and the band’s ever-evolving sound, as well as identifying the band as queer and the lack of support for trans issues in metal and hardcore communities. Check it out! Continue Reading

Weaving together elements of doom, drone, noise and sounds most unsettling, Gnaw create a unique sonic atmosphere that is soul-crushing and psychologically demanding. It would seem each of their releases gets more intense and outre than the last, with their third full-length effort, Cutting Pieces, sitting at the apex of this constant evolution. This 40-minute exercise in aural terror, which is now available through Translation Loss, is perfect for metalheads with masochistic tendencies.

Svbterranean recently caught up with three-fifths of the noise unit to discuss the new record, songwriting and more.

Originally from Kathmandu, Nepal, the currently NYC-based “immigrindcore” act Chepang are set to release their debut LP, titled Dadhelo – A Tale of Wildfire, on November 3. The album is the follow-up to their 2016 EP, Lathi Charge, and is a natural progression of their vicious, politically-charged grindcore/punk sound. The band build on the intensity of their dual vocal attack and take their approach to an even more extreme level, with the introduction of a second drummer.

Dadhelo – A Tale of Wildfire also incorporates more groove elements into their technically proficient style, which adds yet another layer to their chaotic crust- and powerviolence-infused grind. In this recent interview with Svbterranean, vocalist Sanket Lama discusses how Chepang came to be, the new release and how it compares to Lathi Charge. He also talks about the Nepali-based lyrical themes featured on Dadhelo – A Tale of Wildfire, how the cover art ties in with those themes and more.

Hey there, my name is Marc and I play in a band called Greber and do some other solo shit that I call Cancelled. Making music is something that I have loved to do since I was young and still love to this day. Taking an idea, tweaking it with others and seeing it grow is a short rivaled feeling for me.

For a few years now I have been asking some song and riff writers I admire how they go from having a rough idea to finishing a song. I would ask about their general process, creative influences and basically what worked for them and why. More recently I figured it would be fun to record these Q&A sessions and put them up for others to listen to…so here they are. I’m not an expert by and means but I hope that by being a fly on the wall for these you can steal a few ideas and get more stoked on writing shit.

We’ll be releasing one a month on the main site, which will soon be available on iTunes as well.

The first one I did was with the guitarist of Converge, Kurt Ballou. He had a ton of great stuff to say about how the Converge writing process goes, how he got into writing and things he finds help them not over-edit their work. Bon Listening.

Syracuse, NY eccentric punk-grind trio Dialysis are soon set to release their debut LP, titled Pretty Men, through the band’s own Ryan Canavan’s label Hex Records (Bleak, Ed Gein, Godstopper, etc.). Following two seven-inch releases and a split with Bleak, the new album comprises 20 powerful and dynamic tracks that feature elements of noise and thrash. Various samples are also included in their quirky punk- and hardcore-filled grindcore approach, which Dialysis have now expanded with the introduction of saxophone on this record.

Pretty Men also incorporates humour into their unorthodox sound, with bizarre and colourful artwork by Ryan Besch, as well as tongue-in-cheek lyrics that bring a light-hearted aspect to the album while tackling some serious subject matter. In this recent interview with Svbterranean, Canavan (vocals, saxophone) discusses Pretty Men, how the release compares to their previous material and the decision to bring saxophone into the mix. He also talks about Dialysis’ diverse sound and the album’s lyrical themes, as well as the Syracuse music scene and much more.

New Brunswick innovative noise/grind/sludge trio Anthesis are about to release their latest effort, dubbed The Age of Self, on June 9. The new record follows several EPs, as well as splits with the likes of The Great Sabatini and Greber, but is the band’s first full-length in seven years, since 2010’s Surface and the Sky. Recorded, mixed and mastered throughout 2016 by guitarist/vocalist Scott Miller, The Age of Self encompasses the band’s most focused and powerful material to date.

The 11-track album combines elements of ferocious grind, harsh noise rock and doom-ridden sludge into a cohesive sound, layered with dissonant tones and a remarkably bleak atmosphere. In this recent interview with Svbterranean, Miller took the time to discuss The Age of Self, the reasons behind the long gap between the two full-lengths and the writing and recording process for the new album. He also talks about Anthesis’ unique sound and how they’ve progressed over the years, as well as the DIY methods behind recording/releasing music, his solo endeavour Clouds Become Oceans and much more.

Since the early 2000s, London, ON musician Mercedes Lander has been known as the drummer of Canadian female metal band Kittie. In more recent years, she’s also been drumming in psychedelic rock band the Alcohollys, as well as on tour for Jennie Vee. Now, she’s set her focus on The White Swan, which sees Lander stepping out from behind the drum kit and into the front-woman role. Musically, the new band is also a departure from Lander’s previous work, as The White Swan perform a sludgy, synth-rock-tinged style of crushing doom. As well as playing shows consistently, the band are set to release their new three-song EP, titled The White, on June 9 which follows their late-2016 debut, Anubis.

The White carries on where Anubis left off, featuring fuzzy guitars and heavy captivating riffs, along with dreamy synths and Lander’s stunning, soaring vocals. In this recent interview with Svbterranean, Lander took the time to discuss how The White Swan came to be and the writing and recording process for their new EP. She also talks about what it’s like to be stepping out of her comfort zone, offers some insight into her lyrical approach and more.

Syracuse, NY’s Blood Sun Circle (featuring brothers Bobby, Ryan and Brad Gorham, previously of Engineer) have just released their highly-anticipated sophomore LP, titled Distorted Forms. The album picks up where they left off with 2014’s stellar Bloodiest/Sunniest, yet takes their dark and intense noise rock sound to a new, even heavier level (if you didn’t think that was possible, well, it is). Distorted Forms is comprised of 11 thoughtfully formulated tracks that combine harsh, gritty rhythms with beautiful, soaring melodies, and layered with extremely dynamic, powerful vocals.

In this recent interview with Svbterranean, Gorham brothers Ryan and Bobby, as well as drummer Aaron O’Hara, took the time to discuss Distorted Forms. They talk about the writing and recording process, lyrical approach and how Blood Sun Circle compares to Engineer (still searching for those bongos though!). They also touch on what it’s like to work together at Gorham Brothers Music (it can’t be that bad, guys), as well as their latest endeavor Drops of Us, and more.

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Svbterranean is an extreme music blog that is dedicated to bringing you the best in all things heavy and interesting. Whether it be metal, hardcore, noise, post-rock or everything in between, Svbterranean will always be keeping an ear to the underground.
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